When you think of airplanes, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Those huge structures that serve to transport people from one ...

When you think of airplanes, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Those huge structures that serve to transport people from one side of a planet to another side, as the incredible jets that only the billionairescan afford to buy and keep in the garage or perhaps the old war planes that went down in history? However, beyond the conventional ones, there are also experimental models, whose are so strange in structural concept that you would never thought they maybe able to even get off the ground. So, get ready to be surprised with a list of peculiar aircraft that although very strange in design and other, but has been able to fly - even for just a measly meters or minutes - at some point in their existence:

1 - Gossamer Penguin

21-meter wingspan and covered by solar panels, the "Flying Penguin" - or Gossamer Penguin - was an experimental aircraft designed by North American manufacturer AeroVironment in the late 70s. Although he traveled about 3 miles just, it was probably one of the forerunners of many aircraft that are currently under test.

2 - Lockheed XFV

The amazing aircraft up of North American origin, was an experimental prototype that was active only during the year 1954. Developed to protect convoys, Lockheed XFV lifted flight and landed upright, but the project was eventually canceled after tests showed that his speed could easily be overtaken by other fighters, especially the enemies.

3 - VZ-9 Avrocar

Canadian-built, above the curious aircraft was designed in the early years of the Cold War and was part of a secret project of the U.S. Army. The intention was that the Avrocar become a game of tactical combat U.S. Air Force. However, due to numerous problems related to stability and propulsion, the project was eventually abandoned in 1961.

4 - French Beetle

The SNECMA Coléoptère - or SNECMA Beetle - was developed by the French in the 50s. Designed to take off and land vertically, it had wings and was able to ring a single passenger, but after being produced several prototypes of this bizarre aircraft, it became clear that she was unstable and too dangerous to remain in heaven.

5 - Vought V-173

Also known as "Flying Pancake", the V-173 was an experimental aircraft designed by the Americans during the Second World War. He reached speeds close to 220 km / h and came to hold 190 flights between 1942 and 1943. But due to several technical complications, the project was eventually shelved.

6 - Caproni Stipa

Despite the looks huge and heavy, funny airplane above was developed by the Italians in the 30s and had the fuselage hollow in which she was the motor. However, the Caproni Stipa did not exceed 68 km/h, and the Italian Air Force just not very interesting for him. Yet its design meant a big step for the development of jet engines.

7 - Grumman X-29

Designed in the 80s in the U.S., the Grumman X-29 had wings facing forward, at completely reversed direction of traditional air-craft, and was used by DARPA in several tests. Despite having been retired and is now a museum piece, unlike the wings that allow the plane easily deflect missiles and perform complicated maneuvers at high speeds, while making it difficult enough takeoff and provoke instability at low speeds.

8 - Super Guppy

More like a flying whale, the Super Guppy is active and is used by NASA as cargo plane to transport components of the International Space Station and the Orion Project. With a capacity to carry 25,000 pounds, this huge aircraft reaches reach speeds of 480 km/h.

9 – LLRV (Lunar Landing Research Vehicle)

Able to take off and land alone, flying horizontally, float on a fixed point and reach altitudes up to 1220 meters, the LLRV - or Lunar Landing Research Vehicle - was designed to reproduce the behavior of a lunar module here on Earth. The prototype was a success and led to LLTV (Lunar Landing Training Vehicle), used by the Apollo program astronauts to conduct trainings for lunar missions.

10 - McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

Officially called McDonnell XF-85 Goblin, this little fighter was developed by the Americans during the Second World War. The aircraft had little capacity to carry only the pilot and should be taken within a bomber as the B-26. But, due to poor performance during testing - a result of the restrictions imposed on developers - the project was eventually canceled.